Electric receptacle



Nov. 14, 1939. Vt DAME Y 2.180,19?

ELECTRIC RECEFTACLE differ/Pegs.'

Patented Nov. 14, 1939 ELECTRIC RECEPTACLE Charles Vance Dame,y Lanark, Ill. Application May 28, 1937, Serial No, 145,174

4 Claims.

electric receptacles.

the lamps as well.

loose in their sockets.

It is an object of the invention to provide a receptacle or socket for lamps or other devices which will prevent the loosening of the same `and separation or partial separation of their terminals, thus eliminating a source not only of annoyancebut reductionof the period of use-A fulness of the lamp or other device.

lamp or device from the receptacle.

' 35 A further.' object of the invention is to provide a lamp receptacle for use in conjunction with a reflector whereby the lamp is relatively movable axially with respectto the reflector for releasing the lamp engaging means which normally pre- 40 vent rotation of the lamp in a direction to loosen it in Yits socket. v

The invention is therefore of particular importance in conjunction with lamps used on vehicles such as motor cars, railroads, aeroplanes, or the like, although the invention is not limited to such use.

;. the accompanying drawing wherein certain embodiments of the invention are shown for the purpose of illustrating `the invention:

v 'Fig l is a sectional view through a conventional head light-reflector of the type used in automobiles, the improved receptacle being shown in position in the head lamp;

`m', Fig. `2 is a broken'view of a head lamp show- -This invention relates to improvements in In sockets or receptacles of common construction such as for lamps or other current consuming devices or outlet plugs for .5 such devices,` vibration to Which such sockets or receptacles may be subjected frequently cause interruption'of a circuit with accompanying arcing and impairment both of the receptacle and the device. Thus, in motor vehicles, head lamps 4frequently become loose in their sockets and cause a flickering light which not only is an annoyance'to approaching motorists but impairs Buildings adjacent streets carrying heavy traffic are frequently caused to '-15 vibrate suiciently to cause the lamps to become (ci. 17a-249) v I 'ingthe improved receptacle in elevation in posi-` tion therein; I y y Fig. 3 is a broken sectional view .illustrating the receptacle and the lamp in inoperative position for the convenientremoval or replacement; of a lamp;

Fig. 4 is a sectional viewl taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rear end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1; i

Fig. 6 is a detached perspective View of a manually operable cam member by means of which the lamp can be moved to inoperative position;

Fig. 7 is a bottom end elevation of a conventional screw type lamp having a modified base; and

Fig.` 8 is a sectional view of a modified form of receptaclejfor accommodating a bayonet type lamp base.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing,v I0 is the exterior shellpof a conventional head lamp of the type used on motor vehicles having a lens Il. Within the shell I0 is a conventional reflector I2 provided with an opening I3 therein for receiving a lamp socket whereby the lamp held in the socket ATETIQFFICE may be positioned at the focal point of the reflector. The improved receptacle indicated generally by the numeral I4 comprises a central tube l5 to which is secured a tubular member I6, the member being open at its forward end and being provided With av rear end Wall Ilia which terminates in a tubular extension Io which is Vsecured to the tube I5 by any improved means, such as by a set screw IIc. TheA member I6 is of conducting material. n

Rotatably mounted -on the member I6 is a manually operablev member I'I of insulating material which is shown'in perspective in Fig. 6. This member comprises a knob portion lla and an annular cylindrical portion IIb provided with cam-like formations I'Ic on its forward edge. Also mounted on the member I6 is a tubular `member I8 having formations Ia which are complementary to the cam-like formations I'lc of the' member Il. The member I8 is provided with longitudinal ribs Ib inA its inner surface .which seat Within channel' formations Idin the outer surfaceof member I6 whereby the mem- `ber I8 is held against rotative movementwith reference to member I6 but is slidable axially thereof by means of the cam members IIc when the member I1 is rotated from the position shown in Fig. 2 totheposition shown in Fig. 3,. The member I8 is provided with a forward end wall I8c whichlterminates in a cylindrical forward portion Id which forms the outer shell of a lamp socket. l

A spring I9 is attached to wall I6a and to wall I8c and tends to move the wall I8c to the right as viewed in Fig. l although it permits the member I8 to move to the left under the camming action of the members I'Ic when the member I'l is rotated as above described. The socket 80. may be internally threaded or may have a threaded insert positioned therein which receives a threaded base 2'Ia of a lamp 2|.

The tube I5 is secured in position by any suitable means such as by a bracket 22 through which the tube extends and the ends of which are secured at 23 to the shell I0 of the head light. As shown in Fig. l, the outer end of the tube I5 is threaded for receiving clamping nuts 24 which hold the tube rigidly in position. Extending axially through the tube I5 is a conducting ter- 20 minal 25, to the rear end of which a current conductor 26 is adapted to be attached by means of nuts 2, or the like. The nuts 21' may secure an insulating member 28 in the position shown in Fig. 1, the outer surface of which may be threaded for supporting an insulating member 2S which encloses the rear end of the terminal 25 and the bare end of the conductor 26 as shown.

The forward end of the terminal 25 is disposed coaxially with respect to the socket I8cl and with respect to a lamp 2l positioned therein and is adapted to make contact with the central terminal 2lb of the lamp when the latter is in normal position in the receptacle. The current flows through conductor 25, contact 25 and terminal 2lb of the lamp and may be grounded through the member 20 which contacts and may be soldered to the spring I9, member I6, tube I5 to the bracket 22 and shell I0 if desired. Where a screw base lamp is employed, however, I prefer to provide a number of spring engaging members 3U which are secured to the forward end of the tube I6. These members are of such length that they engage the base of the lamp when the lamp is in operative position shown in Fig. 1, that is, with its terminal 2lb in Contact with the forward end of the conducting terminal 25. These engaging fingers 3D exert pressure on the lamp base and prevent rotation thereof when the lamp is subjected to vibration in use, thereby preventing the lamp from becoming loose in its socket. Y

In Fig. 7, the base of the lamp is shown as being provided with a number of indentations 2 Ic for receiving the ends of the fingers 30 to provide a positive lock against rotation of the lamp While the same is in operative position. This feature is not essential, however, since the iingers 319 will exert sufcient friction on the lamp base to prevent loosening. Where the engaging fingers 30 are employed, the lamp may be grounded through the fingers and the tube I5, in which event, the members I6, I7, I8 and Iu may be of insulating material if desired.

Surrounding the enlarged cylindricaln portions of the members I'I and I8, I have illustrated a cylindrical shell 3| which is secured to the shell I0 by the fastening means 23. The member 3l, the use of which is optional, provides further support for the receptacle.

When it is desired to remove-a lamp from the socket, the knob I'Ia is rotated to cause the cams Ilc to force the member I8 forwardly against the action of the spring I9. The forward movement of the member I8 causes the socket I8d and the lamp carried thereby to move to the left as viewed in Fig. 1, thus freeing the lamp base from the engagement of members 30 and separating the lamp terminal 2| b from the terminal 25. The lamp may then be removed from the socket Without danger of breaking the lamp as will be seen. A new lamp may then be inserted, whereupon by rotating the member II by means of the accessible knob portion I'Ia, the lamp and the socket may be moved to the right under the action of the spring I9 to effect contact of the lamp terminal with the terminal 25 and engagement of the ngers 3D with the base of the lamp.

To accommodate the relative movement of the lamp and its socket with reference to the reflector I2, the space between the reflector and the wall I8c is such as to accommodate the movement to the left caused by the cam' I'Ic.

The modification of the invention shown in Fig. 8 consists only in making the socket I8d of conducting material and providing therein av bayonet slot 32 for accommodating the pin 33 of a conventional bayonet base lamp 34. Since with a lamp of this construction, the pin 33 when seated in the slot 32 as shown in Fig. 8 precludes any possibility of rotation of the lamp, the lingers 30 of the form shown in Fig. 1 are omitted. It will be seen that the spring I9 tends to move the socket and the lamp therein to the right as viewed in Fig. 8, thus causing the lamp terminal Sila to bear firmly against the end of the terminal 25, thus not only placing'the lamp in circuit closing relation with respect to the terminal but preventing loosening of the lamp due to vibration to which it may be subjected. In other respects, the construction shown in Fig. 8 is the same as that above described and'operates in like manner.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of the improvements for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent that various detailed changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A receptacle comprising a tubular member, a socket member slidable longitudinally of said tubular member, cooperating means on said members preventing relative rotation thereof, a

xed conducting terminal in said tubular member arranged for contact with the terminal of a lamp in said socket member, a spring secured to said socket member and to said tubular member for moving the former axially in a direction to cause the terminal of a lamp therein to engage said fixed terminal, means for engaging the lamp for preventing rotation of the same in the socket when said terminals are in contact, and a sleeve rotatably mounted on said tubular member and provided with formations engaging said socket for moving said socket axially in a direction against the action of said spring to effect separation of said terminals and release of said engaging means.

2. A receptacle comprising a tubular member, a socket member slidable longitudinally of said tubular member, means preventing relative rotation of said members, a fixed conductor terminal in said tubular member arranged for Contact with a terminal of a lamp in said socket member, a spring secured to said socket member and to said tubular member for moving the former in an axial direction to cause the terminal of a one or more resilient lamp-base engaging members in said receptacle for preventing rotation of the lamp in said socket member when said terminals are in contact, and rotative means for moving said socket axially in a direction against the action of said spring to separate said terminals and release said engaging members.

3. A lamp socket comprising a vcentral conductor supporting member, a terminal at the inner end of said supporting member, a cylindrical guiding member secured to said supporting mem'- ber and having a radially disposed end Wall and a portion of increased diameter spaced from said supporting member to provide a spring chamber, said radial wall constituting the rear end Wall of said chamber, a second cylindrical member reciprocal on and guided by said cylindrical member and having a radially disposed wall constituting the-forward end wall of said chamber, a lamp socket carried by said last mentioned radial wall in axial alignment with said terminal, a

spring in said chamber arranged to act on said reciprocal member for moving the latter in a direction to effect electrical contact of a terminal ductor supporting member, one or more lamp base engaging members carried by said supporting member, a terminal at the inner end of said supporting member, a vcylindrical guide member secured to said supporting member and having a radiallydisposed end Wall and a portion of increased diameter spaced from said supporting member to provide a spring chamber,said radial Wall constituting the rearend wall of said chamber, a second cylindrical member reciprocal on and guided by said rst cylindrical member and having a radially disposed wall constituting the forward end Wall of said chamber, a threaded lamp socket carried by said last mentioned radial spring in said chamber secured to said end walls thereof and arranged to act on said reciprocal member for moving the latter in a direction to effect electrical contactof a terminal of a lamp in said socket with said first mentioned terminal and engagement of said base engaging member or members with the base of said lamp for preventing rotation of the latter While said terminals are in contact, and a rotary member on said guide member provided with means for moving said reciprocal member axially to effect separation of said terminals and disengagement of the lamp base from said engaging member `or members.

CHARLES VANCE DAME. 

